Cyclists Advised To Keep Bikes Safe

Recent reports that David Cameron has been the victim of bicycle theft should act as a reminder to all cycling consumers to make sure their vehicle is safe.

Such is the assertion of Sainsbury’s Home Insurance, which states that following the theft of the Conservative party leader’s bicycle it is important for Brits to make sure that their bikes are secure while they are out and about. Research from the firm revealed the majority of claims for such theft it has received over the last four and a half years have occurred after a bike had been secured outside of the home. These instances of cycle crime were indicated to have accounted of 84 per cent of all claims recorded between January 2004 and June 2008.

Following on from being a victim of bike theft, consumers could find that the cost of replacing such an item weighs down upon their capacity to manage other areas of monetary demand in areas such as home loans, credit card repayments and household bills.

Upon purchasing a bicycle, Sainsbury’s advised people ensure they also take out insurance - whether through a separate policy or adding it on to home contents cover. Taking the time to invest in a secure padlock and tagging a bike was also advised. In addition, noting a bicycle’s make, model and frame number - as well as taking a colour photograph of the vehicle - was recommended as this can help police to return a stolen vehicle to its owner more effectively.

However, in addition to being conscious of making sure their bicycle is not stolen while out being used - as happened to Mr Cameron - the firm urged that the vehicle is also at risk while kept at home. Figures from the financial services provider indicated that 16 per cent of claims for bicycle theft since the start of 2004 came after the item was stolen from inside a property.

To help improve the safety of their bike while at home, Sainsbury’s also recommended consumers keep such an item out of public view. Furthermore, the placing of a bicycle in a shed or garage and locking the door was also recommended, as was securing it to an immovable object or fitting a wall or floor-mounted anchor lock.

Commenting on the findings, Neil Laird, manager for Sainsbury’s Home Insurance, said: “David Cameron is far from being the only person to have a bike stolen. We estimate that 1,208 bicycles are stolen in Britain every day. Unfortunately, bicycles are a popular target for thieves as they can be relatively easy to steal and re-sell. It’s important cyclists consider their bike security at home as well as away and ensure they have insurance against theft.”

For budding Carlos Sastres or Lance Armstrongs looking to purchase top-of-the-range cycling gear, taking out a personal loan might be advisable. By doing so borrowers may be able to buy the latest equipment quickly leaving them with an affordable rate of repayment to make each month. Furthermore, getting a loan could also provide assistance when purchasing insurance for a vehicle and investing in security features such as padlocks.

At the beginning of this month, moneysupermarket advised consumers to spend as much time getting comprehensive insurance for their bicycle as they would when obtaining cover for their car. It was also reported that the recent Tour de France and rising petrol costs are encouraging more people make the switch to two wheels.

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